A bank heist bid was foiled in Rawalpindi’s New Town area on Tuesday during heightened security measures in the city. The attempt took place near Haidery Chowk, just as law enforcement was already on alert due to the visit of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
According to police sources, three armed men tried to rob a private bank in the area. The suspects entered the bank during regular business hours, intending to loot cash. However, their plan was interrupted by the quick reaction of the bank’s security personnel.
One of the security guards managed to resist the robbers, and someone inside the bank immediately called the police using the emergency helpline 15. Responding quickly, a large police team arrived at the scene and surrounded the bank from all sides.
Upon seeing the police, two of the robbers fled the scene. Before escaping, they managed to snatch a weapon from the security guard. The third suspect, however, was caught by the police and taken into custody.
The arrested individual claimed to be from a remote village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was shifted to a nearby police station, where he is being further questioned. The authorities are hopeful that his statements will aid them in tracking down the remaining two suspects.
Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani confirmed that the bank heist bid was unsuccessful due to the swift action of both the bank staff and the police. He added that special teams have been formed to trace the two robbers who escaped. These teams include technical experts skilled in locating and identifying suspects through modern tools and techniques.
Speaking to the media, CPO Hamdani stated that the initial investigation revealed that all three individuals entered the bank armed and with the explicit intention of carrying out a robbery. He appreciated the performance of the responding officers and the alertness of the bank’s staff in preventing what could have been a major crime.
The police also mentioned that the weapon stolen from the security guard has not yet been recovered. Investigators believe that the robbers may still be in the area and are actively searching using surveillance footage, mobile data tracking, and intelligence reports.
The incident has raised questions about how the robbers planned the act, especially during a period of strict security due to the chief minister’s visit. The authorities believe this could indicate prior planning and are not ruling out the possibility of inside help or more accomplices.
The bank heist bid has also highlighted the importance of maintaining strong emergency response systems. Thanks to the timely alert through the police helpline and the rapid deployment of security personnel, a potential disaster was avoided.
This event serves as a reminder that, despite increased citywide security, criminals may still attempt bold moves. However, the prompt action by Rawalpindi police and local security staff ensured that the situation remained under control.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, the Rawalpindi police reassured the public that the city’s law enforcement agencies remain fully alert. They also urged citizens to report any suspicious activity immediately.
CPO Hamdani stressed that law and order in the city is the police department’s top priority. He promised that the two remaining suspects involved in the bank heist bid would be arrested soon and brought to justice.
The investigation is currently ongoing. More details are expected to emerge as police continue their efforts to dismantle any networks behind this failed robbery attempt.
This foiled bank heist bid in Pindi serves as both a warning and a lesson. It highlights the importance of public vigilance, prompt law enforcement action, and effective coordination between security personnel and emergency services.
